Intertransverse process lumbar arthrodesis with allogeneic fresh-frozen bone graft

Nine patients were treated with ten intertransverse process lumbar spine anthrodeses using fresh-frozen crushed corticocancellous allogeneic bone as graft material. No instrumentation was used. The clinical and roentgenographic follow-up period ranged from one to three years. Seven procedures showed successful arthrodesis and three demonstrated pseudarthroses. Increased age and systemic disease were associated with an increased risk of pseudarthrosis. Persistent back pain was associated with pseudarthrosis. Compared with 58 patients treated with intertransverse process lumbar fusion with autogeneic iliac bone as graft material, the overall fusion rate is inferior: 70% versus 92%, respectively.